First-timer Jake Robertson wins the 2017 Crescent City Classic

Updated April 15, 2017 at 12:56 PM;Posted April 15, 2017 at 11:18 AM

Crescent City Classic 2017

Winner Jake Robertson (2) starts to pull away from Edwin Rotich (5) as they turn onto City Park Avenue during the 39th running of the Crescent City Classic on Saturday, April 15, 2017. (Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
(Michael DeMocker)

Allstate Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic first-timer Jake Robertson of New Zealand took home first place Saturday with a time of 27 minutes, 52 seconds, beating Kenyan runner and two-time winner, John Muritu. Muritu has won the event the last two years, but he finished fourth overall with a time of 29:33. See all of the results here.

"The course was very good," said Robertson. "I just believe that the wind was a little bit of an issue and the humidity."

Robertson's goal coming into the race was to set a course record. "I was on pace for it through halfway, but we slipped off at the half," he said. "But I knew that when I saw the runner up ahead struggling, that I had a good chance of winning this. It was in the last mile when I had to get it going again, even though I was really spent."

Kevin Castille of Lafayette was the first American male to cross the finish line. Castille finished fifth overall with a time of 29:46.

"I ran faster a few years ago," said Castille. "But it was hot, and I just couldn't tough the last 2 miles out by myself. I'll take it though."

Ethiopian runner, Mamitu Daska snatched the win for the women. Daska clocked a time of 32:17, finishing ninth overall.

Not far behind was another first timer, Becky Wade from Boulder, CO. Wade was the first American woman to cross the finish line with a time of 34:47.

"It was really fun and beautiful," said Wade. "I knew I wanted to be the top American woman. I saw all of the Africans and a woman from Poland take off, so they were my targets and that's when I knew I had it." -- By Ayanna Robertson, for The Times-Picayune